Y'all we had a great morning! The girls loved playing together, exploring centers, and visiting our Rodeo Room! It was a jam packed day! Outside the girls are really enjoying the new play structures. They provide some really good opportunities for them to push themselves physically. The rock climbing walls and staggered stepping leaves are challenging for such young children but several girls are getting more and more comfortable on them and do not need my assistance anymore. They are so proud of themselves when they get to the top unaided. After the playground we spent some time at the Rodeo. The parents who helped volunteer were wonderful and had everything running smoothly. The girls learned about some Rodeo animals around the campfire, then explored some Rodeo themed centers. They could milk cows, lasso bulls, ride bucking broncos, brand some farm animals, or have stick pony races. They loved every minute of their time at the Rodeo! Back in our room we painted a sunset with water colors. Once they dry the girls will add a cowboy silhouette. We finished our morning with the annual Cowboy Lunch. The girls enjoyed grapes, chips, sausages, bacon, beans, biscuits, apple juice, and Cowboy Coffee (chocolate milk). A special thank you for the food donations and to those who helped prepare everything for the children today. Next week we will focus on farm life. I'm sure the girls will enjoy all we have planned. Have a nice weekend and enjoy your family time. See you next Wednesday.
What an exciting morning we had! The girls enjoyed a farmer's market set up in dramatic play, several new rodeo themed centers and a unique visit from an award winning Trick Roper, Cowboy Kevin. On our way out to the playground we discovered a beautiful bird just outside our door. This sweet Cedar Wax Wing must have crashed into a window and been stunned. He didn't even flinch as we marched past. He even let me get a very close photo. Thankfully the showers from earlier in the morning had pasted and we were able to enjoy some outdoor time. After recess it was time for the Trick Roper Show. Cowboy Kevin has been coming to Oak Hills Preschool for years and his show never disappoints! It was fun to see him lasso some of our friends, crack a whip, and show us his skills. Several of our little Owls even got to participate in a few of his tricks. Back in our room we created pictures by stamping Texas and Longhorn shaped cookie cutters in paint. During Music Class we had a surprise fire drill. The Owls sure do make cute little Cowgirls! We are looking forward to Friday and our special Cowboy Day celebration. We will spend some time in our Rodeo Room to learn about cowboys and explore some rodeo activities. Lunch is also going to be provided for the children so you only need to pack a drink. Let me know if you have any questions! See y'all Friday!
Our budding pet owners and vetarinarians enjoyed their morning giving the animals check ups, building them homes and cages, and taking them for walks. These girls love to run and climb on the playground. During Circle Time we read a fun story about a naughty kitty and then we acted out some of the ways animals move and the sounds they might make. We slithered like snakes, hopped like rabbits, and During Art we finished our Pet Rocks. There was glue, fur, hair, and feathers everywhere but the finished products are just precious. Our pets were getting restless so we took them on a walk to see Ms. Amy in Motor Skills. She sent a video of the girls in action which I will pass along in the Group Me. Next week will be jam packed with fun as we celebrate the Rodeo! We will have an award winning Trick Roper visit on Wednesday and our annual Rodeo Day and Cowboy Lunch on Friday. Dust off your boots and plaid shirts for an exciting week. Let's Rodeo San Antonio!
The girls are really getting into dramatic play. This morning the room was transformed into a veterinarian's clinic complete with pets, x-rays, and all the doctor tools you can imagine. Each child seemed to adopt a pet or two to care for throughout the morning. They had so much fun! They spent time enjoying some of the center trays but for the most part they were all about the pretend play today. Overheard in the Veterinarian's Clinic today... "Awe, look at how precious this puppy is." "I will fix his boo boo." "Oh, look's like he's gonna need a shot. He has a fever." "This is the cutest kitty I ever saw." "I need a leash to walk the dog." "These are bandaids for his boo boo." "Good puppy. I will take care of you." "Shhh, I promise this won't hurt a bit." "I think I need to cut his tail off to make his better." "This bunny forgot how to hop. How can we fix him?" "Hurry, put the fish in the water. He's dying!" "That will be $10. He's all better now." We were able to get outside before it got too warm and muggy. Back inside we played a fun magic trick. It is actually a great way to practice visual memory skills and recall as well some pre-reading tracking skills. We used some of the pet puzzle pieces on a tray. I set up three pieces in the top row and three in the bottom row. We reviewed what pieces were where, "reading" them from left to right as we would words on a page. Then I covered them up with a bandana and waved my magic wand, spoke a few magic words and presto! One of the pieces was missing and the girls had to figure out which one it was. They were so engaged and mesmerized that even Mrs. Kunkel came down to see what all the excitement was about. After a few rounds of our magic game we got busy painting our pet rocks. Once they are dry we will add fur, feathers, eyes, what ever each artist desires. When we were ready to head to Music we decided that some of the pets needed to go out for a walk. So we put leashes on them and walked them to class. The pets were able to stay in the music room on a table and watch the girls sing and dance. Then we walked them back to our room. I'm sure the girls are looking forward to more pet play on Friday. Can't wait to see what creative play they come up with.
What a fun morning we had together. The girls explored centers. They continued to enjoy the mailboxes, sticker activities, and Mad Matter. It was a beautiful morning to get outside and run off some energy. Inside we worked on a very special art project. We tried to mimic the effect of stained glass by melting crayons on wax paper. When you hold the finished product up to the light it looks just like stained glass. We worked one on one so that we could be safe when using the hot griddle. When we returned from Motor Skills we were delighted to sit down to a delicious Heart-shaped Waffle Lunch! The girls really enjoyed the waffles, fresh fruit and drinks. Then we exchanged Valentines. It was well received by the girls, several eating multiple waffles! Thank you so much to the parents who were able to join us and to those hosting the party. Happy Valentines!
Next week we are looking forward to turning our classroom into a Vet Clinic. I think the girls are really going to enjoy playing doctor. It was so nice to have a full class today! The girls were so excited to be together after a week away. We dove straight into centers. The girls enjoyed making salad in the dramatic play area, mailing and sorting letters according to shapes, playing with Mad Matter, and a variety of other Valentine themed activities. Mad Matter is an addictive, super soft modeling compound that shapes easily. The girls were mesmerized by its silky texture. I had two stations set up this morning with a few silicone cupcake holders. The girls loved it. This might be a lot of fun to add to their Easter baskets. I found mine at Target. During circle time we played with the Rhythm Sticks and listened to a story. Video of the Rhythm Sticks will be sent on Group Me. After our story we headed over to the big table for some Valentine inspired science. The girls each received a few baking soda balls with "treasure" inside. They were asked to use pipettes and vinegar to free their treasure. Once freed I told them they could wash their treasure and take it home so if you noticed a few small plastic hearts in their totes, that is their treasure. We also sent some time decorating our Valentine's Day Mailboxes. The girls worked hard peeling stickers. There was also an opportunity to work with stickers on a vertical surface. I left several sheets of heart stickers out and asked the girls to cover the back lines on our big poster. They worked really hard. Peeling stickers is such a wonderful fine motor activity to strengthen those pincer grasp muscles. Focusing on the back lines also helps improve our hand-eye coordination. The girls are looking forward to Friday. We will celebrate Valentine's Day with a lunch party at 11:50. The kids can look forward to heart shaped waffles and fresh fruit before we share cards and treats. If your child is interested in passing out Valentines please be sure to pack 8 cards. They always want to put one in their own bag as well. See you Friday!
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Why Blog?Here you will find little snippets of our days together. When my children were in preschool and would come home I would always ask, "So, what did you do today?". All they ever said was, "Played." That didn't tell me much. I hope this blog will be a place to share what we have done and help you ask more directed questions of your child. You will see first hand just what we do after you kiss your little one goodbye in the morning. It will also be a great place to visit and see just how much your child has grown and learned throughout the year. Archives
March 2024
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